Mastering The Difference Between Leadership And Management
It is a common belief that management and leadership are the
same role. While it is common that a manager also plays the part
of the leader, these two roles are truly separate in function
and in the way they add to the success of an orginization. By
understanding the difference between management and leadership
you will become more effective in helping others see the road
ahead.
To understand the difference between management and leadership,
consider the construction of a new road. To build that road
there are workers, machinery and tools which are all vital in
the road's construction. Managers help ensure those workers,
machinery and tools work together in the most efficient way
possible. A manager makes sure those workers are well-trained,
motivated, rested and that they know what they're supposed to do
next. The manager does the same thing with the tools and the
machinery to make sure that they're working correctly and that
the workers are able to use them efficiently and safely. This is
the role of management. On the other hand, a leader makes sure
that the road is going in the right direction before the
construction begins. That leader also monitors conditions in new
situations to ensure that the road under construction is still
the correct one and is still going in the right direction.
How does this affect you as a leader? Are you spending your time
managing people when you should be making sure that the road
ahead is the one that you want to be on? To expect to be an
effective leader you must present a clear vision and a trail you
are willing to walk on first. While there are times when it is
appropriate for a leader to fill a management role, it is vital
to understand the difference between leadership and management
so you can be effective no matter which role you happen to be
filling at a given time. If you are a leader overseeing
managers, it is important that you provide them with the correct
perspective so they may be effective in their management role.
Don't manage the managers. Lead them.
If you are not in a formal leadership role, it is also important
that you understand that when a leadership opportunity arises
there is a difference between being a leader and managing the
effort. Even if you end up filling both sets of shoes it's
important to understand the difference in roles in order to fill
them effectively. If, on the other hand, you learn how to lead
by showing people that you are walking down the right road, you
will become a natural leader and will be able to help many
others find success as your achieve your own.